Invitation for Partnerships

As the local public health department we work to prevent disease, promote health and protect our community.

Overcoming complex societal problems to create healthier communities requires collaborative solutions which bring these communities and institutions such as Jefferson County Department of Health, together as partners.

These partnerships build upon the assets, strengths and capacities of each other and may address areas including

(1) coalition building; (2) community-based collaborations; (3) health education (e.g., train-the-trainer workshops); (4) community health grants; (5) health care delivery; (6) environmental health; and (7)community-wide health improvement through initiatives like Healthy Communities. Our most recent partnership is with local public health leadership through the Health Action Priorities for Jefferson County.

Our recently completed Health Action Assessment based on the national public health model Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) lays the foundation for all of these efforts. While these challenges appear imposing en masse, they can be achieved by working together to “divide and conquer” these larger issues into smaller ones.

Consequently, as a strategy, public health partnerships can contribute to a number of significant outcomes, including:

• Community-responsive, culturally competent health promotion programs
• Access to health care
• Access to technology
• Community development
• Environmental justice
• Economic development
• Engaged communities and informed citizens

Our ninety years of service to the community have taught us that the health department can only address enormous public health priorities with numerous partners by our side.

Please consider this your personal invitation to join us in an ongoing process to link committed organizations and individuals who seek to improve health for all in Jefferson County.



Michael E. Fleenor, MD, MPH

Health Officer

Jefferson County, Alabama